Citation Analysis of Peer-Reviewed Publications

Current Research Projects

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Current research projects are focused in four broad themes in the area of pain and stem cells. The four main areas of research are: 1) development of novel non-opioid drugs using human tissues and stem cells to treat inflammatory pain using an clinically translational orofacial model of apical periodontitis-induced pain; 2) study sexually dimorphic pain mechanisms mediated by serotonin on nociceptive neurons using a clinically translation orofacial model of dental pulp pain; 3) study the role and function of stem cells in tooth regeneration, specially the role of bacteria/biofilms on stem cell fate and the immuno- regulatory role of stem cells in wound healing and regeneration and 4) clinical trials in patients to evaluate the role of endodontic procedures on healing and bacterial reduction using cone beam computed tomography and RNA sequencing, respectively.

Scientific pedigree provided at: www.NeuroTree.org

Title 1: Anatomy and Physiology of Pulp and Periapical Tissues
Title 2: Pathology of Pulp and Periapical Tissues
This freshman course is a combined Periodontics and Endodontics course of the newly developed dental school curriculum. The lectures review normal anatomy and physiology of the dental pulp and periapical tissues in the first lecture and then describe the pathology of these tissues in the second lecture. The lecture integrates cellular, molecular and functional aspects of cells of the pulp-dentin complex including odontoblasts, immune cells, nerve cells and vasculature. 4.5 credit hours.

1/2018 - Present

Undergraduate Student Supervision

1/2018 - Present

Pre-Doctoral Student Supervision

University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

1/2018 - Present

Membership on Supervising Committee

UT Health San Antonio

1/2018 - 1/2019

Undergraduate Student Supervision

UT Health San Antonio

1/2018 - Present

Undergraduate Student Supervision

UT Health San Antonio

1/2018 - Present

DIPC 6003 Sophomore Pre-Clinical Endodontics Laboratory

Co-Course Director - This preclinical procedure-intensive course meets once a week for 8 weeks during the Fall semester teaches clinical techniques for performing non-surgical root canal treatment (NSRCT) on extracted teeth to sophomore dental students. I am a lab director and teach endodontic access, chemomechanical debridement and obturation techniques to the sophomore class. The goal of this laboratory course is to train and prepare dental students on performing NSRCT on patients in their junior and senior years. 4.0 credit hours.

1/2017 - 1/2021

Undergraduate Student Supervision

UT Health San Antonio

1/2016 - Present

ENDO Surgical Anatomy

The University of Texas Health Science Center

Title: Anesthesia and Hemostasis in Endodontic Microsurgery
This a graduate level lecture that teaches Endodontic residents how to best obtain adequate pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative anesthesia for endodontic microsurgical procedures. This lecture also covers all basic science and clinical literature on various hemostatic agents, management of patients with coagulopathies, platelet disorder and other bleeding disorders. Current recommendations for cardiac patients and anesthesia and anticoagulation therapy for patients undergoing dental surgeries are also made. 1.5 credit hours.

1/2016 - Present

Pediatric Dentistry II

The University of Texas Health Science Center

Title 1: Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology of Pulp and Periapical Tissues
This graduate level lecture is aimed at enhancing the existing knowledge of Pediatric residents on the biology of the pulp-dentin complex. I teach residents the immunoregulatory functions of the cells within the pulp-dentin complex, mechanisms of hyperalgesia and allodynia and changes in vasculature and lymphatics following pulpal injury and trauma.
Title 2: Vital Pulp Therapy (VPT)
This is a graduate level lecture that teaches Pediatric residents the conservative approach to preserving the dental pulp. Residents are introduced to newer clinical studies that support this treatment modality in addition to reviewing new clinical protocols, biomaterials and success rates of VPT. All clinical studies are also substantiated with basic science literature to promote evidence-based practice. 2.0 credit hours.

10/2014 - Present

ENDO6080 Focused Regenerative Endodontics Research

Co-Course Director - This graduate level course is offered throughout the year and teaches principles and practice of stem cell-based therapies in endodontics. Endodontic residents are introduced to last 2 decades of available literature on Regenerative Endodontics and trained to use this knowledge in the clinic when performing these procedures in children with immature necrotic teeth. 4.0 credit hours.

10/2014 - Present

Supervised Teaching

The University of Texas Health Science Center

Endodontic residents as part of their program are required to be involved in teaching duties. They engage in teaching the Preclinical Endodontic Laboratory courses (DIPC 6003 and ENDO 6142). I am a lab director and in addition to supervising dental students, also train Endodontic residents how to teach the laboratory course. I train 2-3 Endodontic residents each year and provide feedback on their teaching performance. This group meets once a week. 4.0 credit hours.

10/2014 - Present

Case Presentations I

The University of Texas Health Science Center

Co-Course Director - This is a graduate level course that is offered throughout the year once a week and aims at evaluating and providing critical feedback on resident clinical cases. Residents are required to present treated cases performed throughout each week and are provided with critical feedback on their performance. This class is also aimed at preparing residents with oral and case portfolio exams for board certification (Diplomate of The American Board of Endodontists). 4.5 credit hours.

10/2014 - Present

Case Presentations I

The University of Texas Health Science Center

Co-Course Director - This is a graduate level course that is offered throughout the year once a week and aims at evaluating and providing critical feedback on resident clinical cases. Residents are required to present treated cases performed throughout each week and are provided with critical feedback on their performance. This class is also aimed at preparing residents with oral and case portfolio exams for board certification (Diplomate of The American Board of Endodontists). 4.5 credit hours.

10/2014 - Present

Clinical Endo II

The University of Texas Health Science Center

Co-Course Director - Graduate Clinical Endodontics is a year long clinical course that is geared towards training Endodontic residents in advance clinical endodontic training. Residents are trained in diagnosis, treatment planning using interdisciplinary approaches as well as clinical procedures using contemporary armamentarium such as surgical operating microscope and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Residents complete an average of 300 cases over a 26 month residency program. I teach this course two half days a week. 16 credit hours

10/2014 - Present

Clinical Endo II

The University of Texas Health Science Center

Graduate Clinical Endodontics is a year long clinical course that is geared towards training Endodontic residents in advance clinical endodontic training. Residents are trained in diagnosis, treatment planning using interdisciplinary approaches as well as clinical procedures using contemporary armamentarium such as surgical operating microscope and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Residents complete an average of 300 cases over a 26 month residency program. I teach this course two half days a week. 16 credit hours.

10/2014 - Present

Clinical Endodontics III

The University of Texas Health Science Center

Graduate Clinical Endodontics is a year long clinical course that is geared towards training Endodontic residents in advance clinical endodontic training. Residents are trained in diagnosis, treatment planning using interdisciplinary approaches as well as clinical procedures using contemporary armamentarium such as surgical operating microscope and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Residents complete an average of 300 cases over a 26 month residency program. I teach this course two half days a week. 16 credit hours.

10/2014 - Present

Supervised Teaching

The University of Texas Health Science Center

Endodontic residents as part of their program are required to be involved in teaching duties. They engage in teaching the Preclinical Endodontic Laboratory courses (DIPC 6003 and ENDO 6142). I am a lab director and in addition to supervising dental students, also train Endodontic residents how to teach the laboratory course. I train 2-3 Endodontic residents each year and provide feedback on their teaching performance. This group meets once a week. 4.0 credit hours.

10/2014 - Present

Current Literature Review

The University of Texas Health Science Center

Course Director - This year long course has a literature-intensive curriculum and meet once a month where Endodontic residents are prepared to critically assess scientific literature and discuss 15-20 articles each month selected for them from 5 peer-reviewed journals. Classroom discussions include summarizing articles, presenting critiques and strengths as well as assessing how the current knowledge can be applied to clinical endodontics. Topics here include clinical endodontics, pharmacology, biological principles and extensive preparation towards the written and oral exams for board certification (Diplomate of The American Board of Endodontists). This class also stimulates discussion to identify new research topics for resident research. The course has now incorporated modern data sharing tools such as cloud-based systems and SharePoint for storage and access of course curriculum. 1.0 credit hour.

10/2014 - Present

Current Literature Review

The University of Texas Health Science Center

Course Director - This year long course has a literature-intensive curriculum and meet once a month where Endodontic residents are prepared to critically assess scientific literature and discuss 15-20 articles each month selected for them from 5 peer-reviewed journals. Classroom discussions include summarizing articles, presenting critiques and strengths as well as assessing how the current knowledge can be applied to clinical endodontics. Topics here include clinical endodontics, pharmacology, biological principles and extensive preparation towards the written and oral exams for board certification (Diplomate of The American Board of Endodontists). This class also stimulates discussion to identify new research topics for resident research. The course has now incorporated modern data sharing tools such as cloud-based systems and SharePoint for storage and access of course curriculum. 1.0 credit hour.

10/2014 - Present

Case Presentations II

The University of Texas Health Science Center

Co-Course Director - This is a graduate level course that is offered throughout the year once a week and aims at evaluating and providing critical feedback on resident clinical cases. Residents are required to present treated cases performed throughout each week and are provided with critical feedback on their performance. This class is also aimed at preparing residents with oral and case portfolio exams for board certification (Diplomate of The American Board of Endodontists). 4.5 credit hours.

10/2014 - Present

Case Presentations II

The University of Texas Health Science Center

Co-Course Director - This is a graduate level course that is offered throughout the year once a week and aims at evaluating and providing critical feedback on resident clinical cases. Residents are required to present treated cases performed throughout each week and are provided with critical feedback on their performance. This class is also aimed at preparing residents with oral and case portfolio exams for board certification (Diplomate of The American Board of Endodontists). 4.5 credit hours.

10/2014 - Present

Case Presentations II

The University of Texas Health Science Center

Co-Course Director - This is a graduate level course that is offered throughout the year once a week and aims at evaluating and providing critical feedback on resident clinical cases. Residents are required to present treated cases performed throughout each week and are provided with critical feedback on their performance. This class is also aimed at preparing residents with oral and case portfolio exams for board certification (Diplomate of The American Board of Endodontists). 4.5 credit hours.

10/2014 - Present

Case Presentations III

The University of Texas Health Science Center

Co-Course Director - This is a graduate level course that is offered throughout the year once a week and aims at evaluating and providing critical feedback on resident clinical cases. Residents are required to present treated cases performed throughout each week and are provided with critical feedback on their performance. This class is also aimed at preparing residents with oral and case portfolio exams for board certification (Diplomate of The American Board of Endodontists). 4.5 credit hours.

10/2014 - Present

Case Presentations III

The University of Texas Health Science Center

Co-Course Director - This is a graduate level course that is offered throughout the year once a week and aims at evaluating and providing critical feedback on resident clinical cases. Residents are required to present treated cases performed throughout each week and are provided with critical feedback on their performance. This class is also aimed at preparing residents with oral and case portfolio exams for board certification (Diplomate of The American Board of Endodontists). 4.5 credit hours.

1/2014 - Present

Post Graduate Rotation Supervision

University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

1/2014 - Present

SELC 8160 Molar Endodontics

This is a selective summer offered to senior dental students prior to beginning their senior year. The course includes performance evaluation of students on 3 extracted molars (maxillary and mandibular). Additionally, students are required to take a written exam to complete the preclinical portion of this course. During their senior year, students are required to complete two molar cases on patients in order to get full credit for this course. The goal of this course is to prepare dental students for moderately challenging molar root canals . 1.0 credit hour.

1/2014 - Present

Individual Instruction

UT Health San Antonio

1/2014 - Present

Perio/Pros Seminar II

The University of Texas Health Science Center

various specialties such as Endodontics, Periodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Advanced General Dentistry. Each week, a resident from each specialty is required to prepare and presentation that promotes interdisciplinary discussion on treatment planning. The goal of this class is to encourage specialties to combine expertise when planning to restore a patient?s dentition. Faculty engage in presentation preparation as well as in-class discussion. 1.0 credit hour.

1/2014 - Present

Perio/Pros Seminar I

The University of Texas Health Science Center

various specialties such as Endodontics, Periodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Advanced General Dentistry. Each week, a resident from each specialty is required to prepare and presentation that promotes interdisciplinary discussion on treatment planning. The goal of this class is to encourage specialties to combine expertise when planning to restore a patient?s dentition. Faculty engage in presentation preparation as well as in-class discussion. 1.0 credit hour.

1/2014 - Present

Case Conferences

The University of Texas Health Science Center

various specialties such as Endodontics, Periodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Advanced General Dentistry. Each week, a resident from each specialty is required to prepare and presentation that promotes interdisciplinary discussion on treatment planning. The goal of this class is to encourage specialties to combine expertise when planning to restore a patient?s dentition. Faculty engage in presentation preparation as well as in-class discussion. 1.0 credit hour.

1/2014 - Present

Endodontics Clinic

The University of Texas Health Science Center

Undergraduate Clinical Endodontics is offered in the Fall and Spring semesters of each year and is geared towards training junior dental students with their first root canal cases on patients. Students are graded on a novel electronic grading system, FileMaker Pro that is an unbiased assessment of competency progress. Students are assessed on obtaining case history, diagnosis, clinical steps and overall preparedness. Students are given feedback throughout their treatment performance and are helped with all the steps required to successfully complete a root canal case. I teach this course one half day a week. 16 credit hours.

1/2014 - Present

Clinical Seminar I

The University of Texas Health Science Center

This is a clinical correlate class that aims at preparing Endodontic residents in clinical procedures using contemporary tools. Procedures such as non-surgical endodontic treatments, non-surgical endodontic retreatment, surgical endodontics, management of trauma, medically compromised patients, and management of challenging diagnosis are covered. Training in the use of modern technologies such as the surgical operating microscope (SOM), come beam computed tomography (CBCT) and 3D planning and printing of surgical guides are also heavily covered in this course. All procedures are supplemented with data and evidence that support the use of such protocols. This class is also geared towards preparing residents with case portfolio exam for board certification (Diplomate of The American Board of Endodontists). Clinical documentation, guidelines for submission and internal deadlines for review process are taught in this class. 2.0 credit hours.

1/2014 - Present

Clinical Seminar I

The University of Texas Health Science Center

This is a clinical correlate class that aims at preparing Endodontic residents in clinical procedures using contemporary tools. Procedures such as non-surgical endodontic treatments, non-surgical endodontic retreatment, surgical endodontics, management of trauma, medically compromised patients, and management of challenging diagnosis are covered. Training in the use of modern technologies such as the surgical operating microscope (SOM), come beam computed tomography (CBCT) and 3D planning and printing of surgical guides are also heavily covered in this course. All procedures are supplemented with data and evidence that support the use of such protocols. This class is also geared towards preparing residents with case portfolio exam for board certification (Diplomate of The American Board of Endodontists). Clinical documentation, guidelines for submission and internal deadlines for review process are taught in this class. 2.0 credit hours.

1/2014 - Present

Clincial Endodontics I

The University of Texas Health Science Center

Graduate Clinical Endodontics is a year long clinical course that is geared towards training Endodontic residents in advance clinical endodontic training. Residents are trained in diagnosis, treatment planning using interdisciplinary approaches as well as clinical procedures using contemporary armamentarium such as surgical operating microscope and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Residents complete an average of 300 cases over a 26 month residency program. I teach this course two half days a week. 16 credit hours.

1/2014 - Present

Clinical Endodontics I

The University of Texas Health Science Center

Graduate Clinical Endodontics is a year long clinical course that is geared towards training Endodontic residents in advance clinical endodontic training. Residents are trained in diagnosis, treatment planning using interdisciplinary approaches as well as clinical procedures using contemporary armamentarium such as surgical operating microscope and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Residents complete an average of 300 cases over a 26 month residency program. I teach this course two half days a week. 16 credit hours.

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